Many of the workers in coir products manufacturing units in the private, public and co-operative sectors are on daily wages (of Rs 110-120).

According to a study conducted for the Asthma Allergic Society of Kerala, an estimated 80 per cent of all coir workers have lung and chest ailments.

The incidence is on the rise, said Dr Shahjehan, who is associated with the society.

The findings of the preliminary studies point to several factors such as non-observance of occupational health norms, he added.

“A detailed scientific study is urgently needed in this sector so as to initiate remedial measures.”

Lack of awareness about occupational health leads to increase in incidence of various ailments among workers, said Dr B. Padmakumar, Assistant Professor (Medicine), Government Medical College, Alappuzha.

“70 per cent of the workers are unaware of this.”

According to him, periodic medical check-ups are not done; similarly, pre-placement medical examination is also not conducted.

Lack of hygiene and environmental cleanliness and water logging in their hamlets also make them victims of epidemics such as chikungunya and viral fever. “They are the worst affected people,” said Dr Padmakumar, who is the principal investigator of a Government team to study the effects of chikungunya epidemic in the district.

He attributed the outbreak to the absence of proper disposal of liquid and solid wastes.

The epidemic broke out last year in Cherthala and Thanneermukkam areas, subsided and resurfaced three months back in Pathanamthitta district, affecting thousands of workers, mainly rubber tappers.

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